Indian States
Jammu
& Kashmir
Kashmir
(
General
Information )
Set
like a jewelled crown on the map of India, Kashmir is a many faceteddiamond,
changing character with the seasons - always extravagantly beautiful. Three
Himalayan ranges, Karakoram, Zanaskar and Pir Panjal - snow capped,majestic,
frame the landscape from northwest to northeast. They are the birthplace
of great rivers which flow through the kashmir valley.RajTaringini
the chronology of the Kashmir Kings written by Kalhana eulogises
the beauty of Kashmir as follows:"Kasmira Parvati Paroksh;
Tat Swami ch Maheswara". Meaning Kashmir is as beautiful as
Goddess Parvati manifest; and its owner is Lord Shiva Himself"
And the Mughal Emperor exclaimed "Gar Bar-ru-e-Zamin Ast ;
Hamin Ast ,Hamin Ast Hamin Asto. Meaning if there is paradise on
this earth : This is it, this is it, this is it.
Srinagar
is at once a collection of images: a son-et- lumiere that tells
the story of the love of the Mughal emperors for this paradise vale;
deep green rice fields and river bridges of gardens in bloom and
lakes rimmed by houseboats; at once summer capital of the state,business
centre and holiday resort.
Srinagar
is as much imagination as it is fact,for every season offers new
vistas to this city of great antiquity. Spring breathes life again
into a frozen world and the air is heady with the fragrance of a
million flowers that blossom on trees, shrubs and creepers.Summer
heightens the effect and autumn is poignant in its colours of warm
introspection. Winter brings with it snow,sometimes the Dal Lake
freezes and beneath a leaden sky, roasted chestnuts turn the atmosphere
aromatic with the promise of warmth and comfort.
The
river Jhelum and the Dal and Nagin lakes dominate Srinagar and its
life and activities.Here lush wild gardens of lotus and waterlily
flower amidst bustling lanes.By the lakeside spread the gardens
of the Mughals in patterned beauty.And the people move with a tranquillity
borne of a history laden pulse of activity.
IF
legends are to be believed, the Kashmir valley was once a lake as
large as a sea and here lived an abominable demon who was killed
after most of the lake had been drained with the collective help
of Brahma's grandson, Kashap and the goddess Parvati.She wasfinally
stilled the demon by dropping upon him a mountain and thereby crushing
him to death.This legendary mountain is no other than Hari Parbat,
Srinagar's 'Takht-i- Sulaiman' hill that forms the famous backdrop
to the city.
General
Information
Best
Season : March to October
Temperatures (Average) : 10 to 30 degrees cent. Low Temperatures
in winter
Clothing : Light/Medium wollens in summers to Heavy wollens
in winter
Rainfall: 529mm
Languages : Kashmiri,Urdu,Hindi,English
Food: Every sort of vegetarian and non vegetarian food is
available in multiple cuisines to suit every budget. Restaurants
of all hues and shades are available all along the Boulevard road.
and other major spots. Foods suits all budgets and tastes.
Travels : Registered travel/tour operators are available.
Others: Tariffs are subject to change without notice and
Cheques are not accepted.
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